Featured Composition

EXTRAORDINARY MACHINES OF CLOCKWORK AND STEAM  (Alfred, Grade 3)

Enter the steampunk world of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and others whose fascinating, limitless view of the future presented all sorts of fanciful Victorian-era contraptions and conveyances. Two themes alternate, one depicts the wonder of these futuristic marvels (and the mysterious laboratoriums where they are hatched). A second raucous, energetic theme portrays the steam, gears, sprockets, and pulleys mechanically powering them. The piece’s unique sonic palette includes evocative toy percussion (i.e. ratchet, brake drum, siren whistle, etc.) and vocal “steam” sounds from wind players. Commissioned by the Clayton High School (NJ) Concert Band, David Dashefsky, Director, this Young Symphonic Series piece is a 2019 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice; performed at the 2019 Midwest Clinic, was named a Bandworld Top 100 piece for 2019 by the American Band College, and is available in MakeMusic Cloud.